WASHINGTON,
Feb. 6, 2013 - President Obama nominated Sally Jewell today to replace outgoing
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who is set to step down in March.

The choice
of Jewell, who currently serves as chief executive officer of the Retail
Industry Leaders Association (RILA), was welcomed by Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

“Sally
Jewell is an inspired choice to lead the Interior Department,” Wyden said. “Her
experience leading a nearly $2 billion outdoor recreation company, combined
with her years of work in the financial sector, puts her in a position to bring
a new vision to the Interior Department. Her record shows that she understands
the importance of preserving our public lands for future generations, as well
as the critical links between public lands, natural resources and economic
growth.”

Wyden said
he hopes to work with Jewell on several issues facing the department including
ensuring taxpayers receive full value for resources produced from federal
lands, managing the renewable and natural gas energy boom in an environmentally
responsible manner, and finding a long-term solution to provide
resource-dependent communities with a fair share of revenues from federal
lands.

RILA
president Sandy Kennedy said Jewell has provided “thoughtful guidance and
leadership” at the organization.

“Sally is
a well-respected retail executive, with a remarkable commitment to REI's
members, customers and employees,” Kennedy said. “I have no doubt that she will
guide the Department of the Interior with the same vision and leadership with
which she led REI.”

Chris
Wood, president and chief executive officer of Trout Unlimited, said Jewell
would bring needed balance to energy development on public lands.

“Her
stewardship of REI demonstrates that she understands the interests of anglers
and hunters and would serve as an aggressive advocate within the White House
for protecting fish and game habitat and hunting and angling opportunity,” Wood
said. “She is a practical, no-nonsense leader who would bring a sense of
purpose to implementing the oil and gas reforms that have remained largely on
the shelf. She is a strong pick.”

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